SpaceX is gearing up for the 10th orbital flight test of its Starship spacecraft, scheduled for Sunday, August 24. The launch window is set to open at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT, with a live webcast available on SpaceX’s website, X account, and the X TV app.
After facing setbacks with the destruction of the previous prototype during a static fire test in June, SpaceX is now ready to launch a new prototype, Starship 37, paired with a Super Heavy booster. The upcoming flight will involve multiple experimental landing burns by the booster, as it heads towards an offshore landing site in the Gulf of America.
During the final phase of the flight, one of the three center engines will be intentionally disabled to test the backup middle-ring engine’s capability to complete the landing. The booster will then transition to only two center engines, hover above the water, shut down, and drop into the Gulf.
Starship’s upper stage will deploy eight Starlink simulators, conduct an in-space Raptor relight, and test various heat shield and structural upgrades during reentry. The mission will also include experiments aimed at enabling the Starship’s upper stage to return directly to the launch site, pushing the structural limits of the rear flaps under maximum dynamic pressure.
In preparation for future Starship missions, SpaceX recently unveiled the first grid fin for its next-generation Super Heavy booster. These flight tests play a crucial role in informing design improvements as SpaceX advances towards a fully reusable launch system.
Overall, the 10th orbital flight test of the Starship spacecraft promises to be a significant milestone for SpaceX, as it continues to push the boundaries of space exploration and innovation. Stay tuned for the live webcast to witness this historic event unfold.